I'm not sure how I felt about this book, it's not an easy one to classify. I didn't really care for any of the characters and had a difficult time placing myself in the timeline of how everything was supposed to have happened. For example, Effie is only 18, but the narration makes it seem like these "childhood summers" happened a very long time before, to the point where Effie was super nostalgic about them. It wasn't that long ago! All of the characters really acted like typical teenagers and made dumb decisions like teens often do.
I do love a book set in the 50s, the characters are so naive but also so worldly at the same time. I couldn't quite figure out why Henry and Effie even got married--they didn't seem to like or know each other that well. Henry was a virgin when they got married and it didn't take much for him to stray--about 5 minutes into their honeymoon it seemed and then he just couldn't get enough.
I didn't hate the book, but it seemed like one sex and drinking scene after another, and I really wanted more plot, more exploration of who these people were, and I wanted to sympathize with at least one character, but really did not. All in all, this is kind of a soapy mess of a story, but it's a quick read.
I do love a book set in the 50s, the characters are so naive but also so worldly at the same time. I couldn't quite figure out why Henry and Effie even got married--they didn't seem to like or know each other that well. Henry was a virgin when they got married and it didn't take much for him to stray--about 5 minutes into their honeymoon it seemed and then he just couldn't get enough.
I didn't hate the book, but it seemed like one sex and drinking scene after another, and I really wanted more plot, more exploration of who these people were, and I wanted to sympathize with at least one character, but really did not. All in all, this is kind of a soapy mess of a story, but it's a quick read.